Crowley continues preparation for arrival of LNG-powered ConRo ships

In its preparation for the arrival of its two LNG-powered commitment class ships under construction in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Crowley Maritime said it is investing an additional $21 million in the Isla Grande port terminal in San Juan.

The contract includes expanding the terminal’s capacity for handling refrigerated containers, paving 15 acres to accommodate container stacking, installing a new electrical substation to provide power for three new ship-to-shore gantry cranes, constructing a new seven-lane terminal exit gate, and installing hardware required for a new terminal operating software system.

Crowley’s LNG-powered ConRo ships, to be named El Coqui and Taino, are being built at VT Halter Marine will be able to carry containers ranging in size from 20-foot standard to 53-foot-long, 102-inch-wide, along with hundreds of vehicles in enclosed, weather-tight car decking.

The two ships are scheduled for delivery in the second and fourth quarter of 2017.

Jose Ayala, Crowley vice president, Puerto Rico said this is the final contract awarded as part of the transformation of the Isla Grande terminal.

Previously, Crowley awarded a $48.5 million construction contract for a new pier at the Isla Grande terminal and signed a 30-year lease extension for the Isla Grande property with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.